Electrical sorting system



Cct. 9, 1951 F. RIEBER 2,570,485

ELECTRICAL soRTING SYSTEM Filed Jne 24, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet l mv) siii:

Oct. 9, 1951 F. RIEBER 2,570,485

ELECTRICAL soRTING SYSTEM Filed June 24, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 adda,

F RIEBER ELECTRICAL SORTING SYSTEM Oct. 9, 1951 3 sheets-Sheet s Filed June 24, 1946 Patented Oct. 9, 1951 ELECTRICAL. SORTINGE SYSTEMI Frank4 Richer, New York, N.,Y. assignor to Interval Instruments, Inc., N ew York,4 N'. AYL, a. corporation of; New-York Application June 24, 1946,. Serial Noi. $518,715

(Cl: S- 88) 11. Claims. 1

This inventionrelates to. electrical systems. for statistically sorting a plurality of similar objects diering' a predetermined characteristic. With.- in given limitsand while, it. is of general. applicait. is. particularly adapted for use. as a. gauge by which; a4 succession. ci mechanical objects. may

be tested with respect. to. a. critical dimension and. sorted.. into, sub-groups. within which the dimensions Will.. not. vary, beyond certain preset limits.. Atypicaluse; of this. invention. is. in the sorting. of. ballsy for ball. bearings and it will. be specically described in` such, an applicationv The. grinding of balls. for` bearings. although. it a highly eieient. mechanical. process, does not produce;A balls. all; oi which are; closely similar in.

dimensions.. When ball. bearings. are assembled, using. balls which vary in dimensions. by as little as 100, micro-inches, certain disadvantages. result. For one thing, the. larger balls, receiving, the heavier 1oad, are, likely toz be. damaged, especially when. the. total load. onbearing reaches. the, maximum tolerance: limit. for. the design. in. question. This` results. either in a lowering of. the total tolerance limit specied. for the bearing` or. inthe failure oi a. certain.. number of. bearings, in any lot to stand up properly under the, maximum specified load..

Further than this., bearings in which the sizes of. the balls. are not closely identical do not run as. smoothly as. perfectly matched ball groupings. Thiel-ack. of. smoothness. and. dependability is a serious handicap, particularly incri-tical. operations. such asv the. ballbearings supporting. rapidly moving or delicate. parts. or both, such as the gyroscopic rotors usedin-.flightcontrol apparatus.. AA. further disadvantage of such. relatively Wide range. of ball. dimensions liesI in the fact that not all balls are. precise spheres.. There isa tendency fior some balls to.P developy triangular pyramidal deter-mations which are notfdetected. by usual. devices for' determining tolerances.. and these. deformations, are particularly? intolerablein a. bear- Therefore, mechanical gauging or. sorting of ballsfor ball. bearings is a highly. essential step it the bear-ings `are to carry their.- maximum. load and; operatesmoothly.. At, an early date, sorting methodsT used for this purpose consistedV effectively in. passing the balls through gauging slots of varying predetermined dimensions. This method. resulted in grouping. ofthe balls. such that,v for a ball diameter of approximately 1.16 inch, for exam-ple,l the. largestn andthe smallest ball iny each groupdid not varyA in. diameter by more.` thanA 1-00r micro-inches.. However. it has been. found that bearings made. with balls, varying Within limitsof 1.00. micro-inches do notmeet the exacting requirements. of many applications. Accordngly attempts, have been made to sub.- ject. a, group. ot balls., roughly sorted to agree within micro-inches, into sub-groups, agreement, within. eachV group being as close. as 10 micro-inches..

The` method. by which. thisgauging andsorting of balls into sub-groups. has. been previously accomplishedinvolves much time spentby a skilled operator with highly precise hand-operated pre.- cision tools.. Inspiteoithishigh time cost, hovvever, it has been found that the highly improved grade of ballbeari'ng. resulting from such. sorting has. anA economical advantage in many applications. and', has` made, possible. speeds. and accuracies. WithoutJ which. a wide. variety of useful` de.- viceswouldhave been unattainable.

Later efforts: directed at thisproblem of sort.- ing to closer. tolerances have resulted in auto.- matic gauging apparatus by which a series of such, balls are automatically fed succession through a sensitive gauging. apparatus, the re.- sponse of this gauge being caused to operate. a subsequent sortingI mechanism by which the. balls passing` through` the gauge are selectively .delittered to.- one. or. more containers designatedr for the. appropriate sub-dimensional groups. Such gauging apparatushasgenerally consisted essentially of. gauging faces or anvils brought intoicontact. with. each. ball, these. gauging faces operating,.in turn, amplifyingV apparatus by which small differences. in ball dimensions result in much larger. diierenees vinsomecluantity. used to control or. ndicatethe. group. in which. theV gauged ball fell. Generally,v a. change in the dimensions ,between `the gauge anvilshas been used to create a. change the. amplitude of an electrical signal which,A after further amplification, varies in ampl-itudeI not. only with. thefchanges in gauge dimensions, which it is desired to measure,` but also With changes in the amplication; factor of theamplier due.1 to. any of several causes, which constitute highly undesirable errors in the operation..

The-problems; discussed above withY respect to bear-ing balls are-applicable alsotok ballI races which can be similarly statisticallyl separated into groups Within narrow gauging limits and sub.- sequently assembled; with balls of a correspondi-ngf dimensional group..-V

Itis a-nobject of the present invention, thereforei. toJ provide aV newy andimproved electrical fsystemfor statisticallyy sorting, a plurality` -of operating characteristics of any of its components, such as vacuum-tube amplifiers.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a new and improved electrical sorting system.

of the type described which is capable-of sorting objects into groups of much narrower gauging limits than has heretofore been possible.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided an electrical system for statistically sorting a plurality-of similar objects differing in a predetermined characteristic within given limits fwhich comprises a gauge including an element movable in response to theV physical dimension of an object to be gauged, means for feeding objects in succession to the gauge and ejecting them therefrom, and means for developing a periodic signal including an element responsive to movement of the gauging element for varying the fre- Vquencyof the vdeveloped signal. The system also includes a fixed-tuned lter circuit energized by .the developed signal and effective vto pass the signal within a limited frequency range, and actuating means controlled by the signal passed by .the filter circuit for determining the course of an object ejected from the gauge.

Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a perspective view, partially schematic, of a complete electrical sorting system embodying the invention with certain of the duplicate elements omitted for the sake of clarity; Figs. 1a and 1b are fragmentary views of the feeding mechanism of the `system of Fig. l in successive positions in its cycle of. operation; while Fig. 2 is an electrical circuit diagram of the system of Fig. 1 with certain of the duplicate elements also omitted for the sake of clarity.

Referringr more particularly to Fig. 1 of the drawings, there is represented an electrical system embodying the invention for statistically sorting a plurality of similar magnetic objects differing in a predetermined characteristic within given limits, specifically for sorting a group of bearing balls 9 in accordance with their physical dimensions. This system includes means responsive to Vsuch characteristic, that is, the dimension, of "the objects to be sorted. Specifically, this responsive means comprises a gauging means I I)v having opposed upper and lower gauging jaws Illa and Illb, respectively, responsive to the diameter of the bearing balls as they are passed therethrough.

'The lower gauging jaw I 0b is designed to be fixed, vwhile the upper gauging jaw Illa is pivotally supported b v a hinge spring Ic from a supporting block Illd.

The sorting system of the` invention also in- 'cludes means for feeding the bearing balls in succession to the gauging means I and eiecting them therefrom with a dwell between the jaws I 0a, I Db. This feeding means II may be of any conventional type, but there is illustrated by yway of example a hopper IIa, into which the balls to be sorted are placed, terminating in a neck or funnel Il b dimensioned to constrict the balls to a single column. The neck I Ib feeds into a short conduit I Ic disposed in registry with the opening y between the jaws Illa, IUb of the gauging means' I0. Operating in the conduit IIc is a plunger I2 supported on a rod I3 mounted in standards I4, I4 and biased by a spring I5 to a withdrawn position. The rod I3 terminates in a cam roller or follower I6 bearing on a rotatable cam I'I having a conguration such as to reciprocate the plunger I2 in a predetermined cyclical movement, as described hereinafter. It will be understood that the cam I'I may be rotated by any suitable motor means, not shown.

The sorting system of the invention also includes means controlled by the gauging means I0, while a ball is held in the jaws thereof, for developing a periodic signal having a freqeuncy Y varying with the response of the gauging means,

that is, with the dimension of the ball as determined by the gauging jaws Illa, Ib. The periodic signal-generating means may be of any conventional type, but is preferably in the form of a tunable vibration oscillator I8 of the type described and claimed in applicants copending application Serial No. 657,880, led March 28, 1946, entitled Frequency Determining Unit. By the term vibration oscillator as used herein and in the appended claims is meant an oscillation generator in which the frequency-determining element is a mechanically vibrating device, such as a tensioned strand. The oscillator I8 comprises a tensioned conductive strand or wire Ia rigidly supported at point I8b and rigidly attached atpoint I8c to the gauging jaw I 0a. The wire I8a is mounted in a uniform magnetic eld transverse to the wire, which may be developed by a cylindrical permanent magnet Id having a longitudinal slot Ie in which the wire I8a is disposed. The oscillator I8 also includes an untensioned wire I8 f outside of the eld of the magnet ISH., the wires I8a and I 8f being connected A'to suitable input and cutout circuits, as described hereinafter in connection with the electrical circuit of the system shown in Fig. 2. As illustrated, the connections to the wires I 8a, I 8f may be made b v way of cables I9 to an electrical control unit 20 including various circuit connections and control elements described hereinafter in connection with Fig. 2./

The electrical sorting system of the invention further includes frequency-selective means energized by the signal developed by the oscillation generator I8. This frequency-selective means may be in the form of a plurality of vibration lters ZI-ZG, inclusive, connected to the control unit 2l) by cabling 21. By the term vibration lter as used herein and in the appended claims is meant a filter which depends for its frequencyselective properties on a mechanically vibrating element, such as a tensioned strand. Each of the vibration filters may he of a construction similar to that of the oscillation generator I 8 described in more detail in applicants aforesaid copending application. 'Ihe filters 2I-2E, inclusive. are stagger-tuned. that is. tuned to closely adjacent frequencies, and preferably have overlapping response characteristics.

The system also preferably includes means acting in synchronism with the feeding means II for energizing the filters with the signal develoned by the generator I8 simultaneously with, or shortly before` a ball to be gauged reachesits final position between the gauging jaws IOa, Illb, the energization being maintained while the object dwells between such jaws. This synchronising means may be in the form of a commutator disc 28 mounted on a shaft 29 common to the cam I'I. The disc 28 is of'insulation material and provided` with a conductive segment 28m and a= pair of electrical contacts or brushesA 2.8i), 28e connected' by way of? a cable 3D'- to; the electrica-l control unit The sorting system of they invention further includes actuating means controlled by the frequencyeselective means or lters Nif-26; inclusive, for determining the course of a' ball. or other object ejected from thel gauging means. lU-l This actuating means is preferably` in the form cf-v a plurality of electro-mechanical actuating devices individually' controlledv by the lters IIL-26?, inclusive. Specically, theref-are-provided a plurality of trigger relaysz k- 36, inclusive,

coupled? to and individually controlled by'lters 2li-2S, inclusive, and a plurality of' actuating elements, such as electromagnets, individually connected tov and controlled by the trigger relays 3h36, inclusive. By the term. trigger relay asL used herein andv in the5 appended claims is meant a discontinuous.controlc device which may be triggered or rendered operative bythe ap.- pli'cation of a controll impulse but'- is thereupon insensitive to further control elects untilt completely dee-energized. For the sake ofsimplicity onlyr four of the electromagnets. 4`l, 4I, 43, 'and Mi are shown and only they latter twoY are shown vasv connected. to theirrespective trigger relays 33 andi 34 by cables 315 and' 38", respectively. Ask il'- lust'rated, the electromagnets 4I-44, inclusive, and the two additional electromagnets-not shown are arranged in a circular array about the trajectory of a ball ejected from the jaws' l'lla., HID `of the responsivev means', suchl trajectory' being indicated by the dotted line connecting the dotted balls 9a, 9b, 9C; 9d; and 9e', representing the positions of' a ball at the ends of successive short' time intervals.

There is provided collecting means for'theballs which may be in the form of a cylindrical'rece'p- 'tacle 39 having twelve radial compartments,`only seven compartments 39a-3$lg, inclusive, being shown for the sakel of clarity. The inner walls of' the compartments terminate in a, cylindrical 'post 4U having a tapered or conical upperend'a to facilitate deflectingoffthe balls into: the proper compartments.

The sorting system'fof the invention includes further means acting in synchronism with the feeding means Il for de-energi'zing` all of the trigger relays a predetermined interval after each ball or object has been ej'ected from the gauging means'. le. Thisv synchronizing meansv may he in the form oi a second commutator` also mounted on the shaft 29 and comprising a disc of insulation material having av conductive segment 45a and a pair of (xo-operating. brushes 45h and 45o connected by'way of'a cable` Mito the electrical controlv unit 21k TheY details of the electrical. circuit of the sor ing` system of.' thel invention'v will. best be understoodv by reference to Fig. 2', in which elements corresponding to those'of Fig; I are identified by the sa-mereference numerals; As indicated in this figure, the means acting in. synchrcnism ywith the feeding means H" for controlling the energization of-t`he several vibration` filters 2|-26f, inclusivaincludes the commutatorZiB and a relaT 5d having normally open contacts 55a.

A-s shown in Fig. 2, thewires I-Sa ancll'oftne oscillation generator t8' areincluded in twoV adjacent arms'of a Wheatstone bridgelnetwork comprising resistors lf-g, |371-, lili; Aand E857". Onedi;- agonal of theI bridge network connected through af.- transformer M: to; the grid of. avacuum 6) tube- 48', theanodecircuit; of' which isA connected acrossl theother diagonal of thev bridge network through a coupling condenser 49Y andV acathodebiasing circuit 59. The-anod'efcathode circuit: of tube'4'8 is completed through the primary: wind.` ing of an outputtransformer 5I and a. suitable source, such as a battery 52. The secondarywinding of transformer 51| is connected to supply the several vibration: lters 2|-26, inclusive, through contacts a. of relay 50, the windingof which is energized through the brushes 28h, 28e

of commutator 28'. from any suitable source, such as a supply circuit terminal 28d'.

The wiresofthe vibration lters 23 and' 24 are similarly connected in Wheatstone bridge networks, the corresponding elements of which are identifiedE by the same subscripts as those of the vibration generator I8. However, the tensioned wires of the vibration lters are connected to manually adjustable elements for adjusting their tension; for example, the wire 23a is connected to a pivoted arm 23k which is adjusted by means of a thumb screw 23m mounted in a support 2311,. As indicated', the several vibration filter networks 23, 24, etc., are energized in parallel across one diagonal thereof, from the transformer 5l through the contacts Sila of relay 50.

The sorting system further includes means vresponsive to the operation of any trigger relay for preventing subsequent operation of any other relay. Specically, the trigger relays may be in the form of vapor electricdischarge tubes or relays, such as the tubes 33, 34, each having anode and cathode and' control' electrodes and commer'- cially available under the name Thyratron The actuating electromagnets, such as the elements 43 and 4.4, are individually connectedv in the anode-cathode circuits of the relays 33, 34, respectivelywhich are energized in parallel from a suitable source, such as a supply circuit terminal 53, through normally closed contacts 54a of a relay 54. The winding of relay 54 is energized from a suitable source, such as a supply terminal 45d, through brushes 45h and 45C of commutator 45. Therseveral trigger relays 33, 34, etc., are provided with a common cathode resistor 55 having a parallel by-pass condenser 5S. The resistor 55 is connected in series with a resistor 5'! to form a voltage divider across a suitable source, such as a supply circuit terminal 58. The resistor 55 is elective to preclude opera-tion of any trigger relay subsequent to the operation of the initial trigger relay, as described hereinafter.

Consideringl now the operation of the sorting system of the invention, it will be assumed that the several componentsv and elements are in the respective positions illustrated in Fig. l of the drawings. It will be seen, therefore, that the cam l1 has just permitted Withdrawal of the plunger |'2'by biasing spring I 5to-let a ball 9-drop from the funnel l Ib into the-conduit Hc; As the cam l'lis rotated, the ball 9 isadvanced and located between thegauging jaws lila, Mib, as shown inA Fig. la. Under this condition, oscillationgenerator yIf operates continuously ina manner'described` inI more detail in applica-nts aforesaid copending' application. In brief, periodic current passing through the wire lila thereof in theY field of magnet ld causes it to vibrate, upsetting the dynamic impedance of the bridge network; Theunbalance voltage of this bridge network is suppliedv through the transformer 4-1 to the grid off vacuum tube- 48, the ano-de circuit of which supplies the other diagonal of the bridge network through the coupling condenser 49.v Due to 'this regenerative connection through the vacuum tube 48, sustainedl oscillations are de veloped at a frequency dependent upon the elongation or tension of the wire I8a. With the ball 8a. in the gauging jaws, as illustrated, the elongation of the wire Ia is determined by the physical dimensions of the ball. Thus, the frequency of the oscillations developed by the unit I8 is dependent upon the dimensions of the ball being gauged.

Under the conditions assumed, the relay I! is energized through the brushes of the commutator 28 to close its contacts 50a to energize the vibration filters 2I-26, inclusive. As indicated by the extent of the segment 28a, this circuit has actually been completed upon the insertion of the ball 9a in the gauging jaws to permit the related vibration lter to build up to its equilibrium vibrating condition. As explained in more detail in aforesaid copending application, the vibration filters 2I-2B, inclusive, are sharply selective to energization at their natural frequencies, that is, their response drops off rapidly for excitation frequencies on either side of the natural frequency for which they are adjusted.

Assume, for example, that for the particular ball 9a, the frequency generated by the oscillator I8 corresponds almost exactly to the natural frequency of the vibration filter 24. Under this condition it will vibrate strongly, while the other vibration filters are vibrating relatively weakly. The strong vibration of the unit 24 upsets the dynamic balance of its associated bridge network, the unbalance output of which is connected to the grid of the vapor electric or trigger relay 34. The cathode of each of the trigger relays 33, 34, etc., is initially biased slightly positive by the voltage divider 55, 51 so that it is maintained nonconductive. However, the relay 34 responds to the unbalance voltage of unit 24 to energize the electromagnet 44. This energization of electromagnet 44 is effective to deflect the ball 9a, upon its ejection from the jaws Illa, I0b by continued rotation of cam I'I, as shown in Fig. 1b,

into the position represented by the ball 9b. The

ball thus falls on the right-hand surface of the conical end 40a of post40 which thereupon deects the ball through successive positions 9c, 9d, and 9e into chamber 39a of receptacle 39. That is, each ball ejected from the feeding means I I is selectively deflected from its normal trajectory in a direction dependent upon its dimension as determined by the gauging means I0. A soon as the relay 34 is energized, as described, the ow of space current through the common cathode load resistor 55 is such as to bias the cathodes of the remaining trigger relays substantially positive and is thus effective to prevent subsequent operation of any other relay.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1a, the cam II is given such a configuration as to provide a rapid forward feed of the successive balls to the gauging jaws IIJa, IUb, represented by the portion a of cam I'I; a short dwell of each ball between the gauging jaws, represented by portion b of cam I'I, where gauging takes place as described above; a short rapid ejection stroke, represented by portion c of cam I'I; and a rapid return stroke under the influence of the biasing spring I5, represented by portion d of cam I1. During the time of the return stroke, which permits a ball 9a to fall into position 9b, the commutator 45 closes the circuit through its brushes 45h and 45e to energize the relay 54 which opens its contacts 54a to interrupt the circuit through all the electromagnets and associated trigger relays 3I-36, inclusive, to restore them to a responsive condition for control by the unbalance of the responsive vibration filter in response to the gauging of a successive ball. It will be noted that approximately simultaneously with the interruption of the circuits of the trigger relays, the commutator 28 is effective to open the circuit of relay 50 which,

in turn, opens its contacts to de-energize the several vibration lters 2 I-26, inclusive.

In the design of the sorting system described, the starting point is the gauging limits of the balls that are to be sorted. Assume, for example, that these gauging limits include a range of micro-inches and that it is desired to sort the balls into twelve groups, each comprising a gauging limit of approximately 8 micro-inches. The oscillation generator I8 is, therefore, designed to generate a frequency adjustable over a given range sufficient to provide feasible selective response of the several vibration filters for movement of the gauging jaws Ia, I0b over the total range of 100 micro-inches. The vibration filters 2I-26, inclusive, are then adjusted by their respective thumb screws, such as the thumb screws 23m, 24m, to equally spaced frequencies over the normal frequency range of the oscillation generator I8. Under such conditions, if the generated frequency corresponds approximately to the frequency of maximum response of any of the vibration lters, it will actuate its associated trigger relay to energize the associated electromagnet to deflect the ball,` when ejected from the gauging jaws IIla, Ib, in any of six equally angularly spaced directions from its normal trajectory. If under such conditions the receptacle 39 were provided with six compartments, the balls would be sorted directly into six groups each having dimensions varying not more than approximately 16 micro-inches. However, by designing the vibration filters 2I-26, inclusive, with proper values of Q and staggering their natural frequencies, their response characteristics may be made to overlap with the intersection of adjacent response characteristics being at approximately 0.7 times the maximum response of the filters. After a ball is transmitted through the gauging jaws of dimensions such that the frequency generated by the unit I8 falls half way between the natural frequencies of adjacent filters, these two filters develop equal responses and are effective to trigger both of their associated relays. That is, two adjacent electromagnets are energized simultaneously and the ball is deflected from its trajectory in a direction bisecting the angle between the two electromagnets. Under such conditions, it is readily apparent that the balls may be sorted into twelve categories each having dimensions varying within the limits of approxia mately 8 micro-inches by the use vof only six eleotromagnets and associated energizing circuits.

While it will be apparent that the design constants of the sorting system of the invention will vary widely in accordance with the particular performance specifications, there follow, by way of example, certain design constants suitable for use in a system for sorting balls having the gauging limits described into the groupings described. The vibrating wire of each of the vibration filters and vibration oscillators may be a single-crystal drawn tungsten wire 1 inch in length and 0.0007 inch in diameter. An initial tension is assumed at approximately 35 grams which is applied by attaching the wire to the gauging jaw I0a or to one of the Vpivotal supports 23k, 24k, etc. Preferably the connection .is :made to the wire I 8a `Fsc that gauging motionfis transmitted directly-to Athe -yibrating wire Without .the i-interposition of l'any lever ratio. At this tension, 'the wire Avibrates vin `its :fundamental modeat a frequency of v5400 cycles per second. By adjusting lthe :length of the Wire over a range of 100 micro-inches, the -frequency of the Wire varies Vapproximately *0.69 cycles per micro-inch'or, inversely, one -rc'ycle for keach 1;45 micro-'inch adjustment. The `Vibration oscillator and vibration :filters may be designed to have a Q of approximately450 tby minimizing electrical, mechanical, and acoustic radiation, .as described in the aforesaid copending application. Such a value of Qimpartsaresponse bandwidth to each of the filters-ZI-ZB, inclusive, fof approximately 12 cycles tat 0.7 maximum `response .and willconsequently determine 1a dimension 'range Tof vapproximately 17 micro-inches, as desired.

' The rate at Which objects may fbe sorted Iby the system of the inventionfisnot limited :by-thetirnling characteristics of thefelectrical system, fbut solely by the timing characteristics iof lthereciprocating `plunger l2 vfand the `trajectory time of vthe balls ejected from thegauging jaws. because the time of response of the vvibration oscillator I8 and of the vibration filters of .the invention is .so short, representing .a relatively -few oscillationnycles, that it'dces not act as :fa limiting factor on the rate at which the balls lcan be sorted. Compensation for extraneous factors, such as variations iin temperature, may beeffected by any-of the arrangements yin the aforesaid copendingapplication, or the system'may'bie operated under uniform vconditions for which it is initially adjusted.

TheV electrical sorting system of the :invention has the Iadvantage over priorsorting systems in `that the translation of'dimensional'yfariations to frequency 'variations .and ,the :reverse translation of -frequency variations to an indication or-mechanical displacementiprovideafhigher degree of stability -;and accuracy ythan heretofore obtainable.

While therehastbeen :described what is:atpres ent-considered to be rthe preferred embodiment of this invention,rit will be obvious to those ,skilled in the art that various changes Aand-modifications may be made therein without departing from ,the invention, and it is, therefore, aimed in the appended claims to cover al1 such changes and modifications `as falliwithin the true spirit and scope of .theinvention r What is claimed is:

1. An electrical system .for statistically sorting a plurality of similar magnetic objects diifering in a predetermined characteristic Within `given limits comprising, means responsive to saidfcharacteristic of anobject,rmeansfor feeding objects in successiontosaid responsive means and ejecting .them therefrom, means controlled by said responsive means for developing .a yperiodic signal having a frequency -varying with the response "thereof, a plurality Vof -xed-tuned filters energized solely by said signal, and a,plura1ity of electromagnets individually controlled by said filters, said electromagnets being arranged y.in a circulararray about the trajectory 'ojfan db, ject ejected from said responsive means'for 'selectively deecting each object from its normal trajectory in a direction dependent upon said predetermined characteristic thereof.

2. An electrical system for statistically sorting a plurality of similar objects differing in a predetermined physical dimension Within given limits comprisingr-a gauge :including an selemert movable in :response vto the physical :dimension fof zanohj ect to zfbefgaugemmeansifor feeding obiects in vsuccession :to vfsa-id :gauge and lciecting them therefrom; means :for developing .a speldi'c :Signal including element responsive te movement ,said Agauging element for lvarying the :frequency of 'the developed signalj; :a xed-tuned .lter circuit tenergized -by said devel'oped :signal .and vet- 4fe'ctive to'gpass saidignal within :a limited frequency mange; zanzdactuating fmeans* controlled 'by the signal passed by said filter circuitgforzdetere .mining the course pf :an object vejected from said gauge.

r3". An electrical :systemffor :statistically :sorting ra plurality of is-nni-lair-aobjects differing `in a :predeterminedphysicalfdimension `Within given flim= :its :comprising: 7a 5gauge includ-ing :opposed gauge ,ing `jaws one :of whichzisimovable in response te the physical dimensiomof an object to fbe gauged; rmea'ns :for feeding objects in ysuccession to said gauge y.and ejecting fthem stherefrom; ymeans afm' ideveloping 1a periodic signal .including .anelement responsive -t'o movement of Saidgauging element 'for :maintaining vthe frequency -of the developed signalfconstant TWhile tan :object is'held :in said Tg'auging :jaws :and :of aa -value Mary-ing with fthe :movement fof :said movable fjaw; a :fixed-tuned filter circuit energized :by ,said rdeveioped :signal and effective to :pass :said :signal 4mithin `a iimited frequency range; and actuating means contrn'lled -by vthe signal passed rby rsad lter :cireuit for :determining the .course 0f :an object .ejected'from saidggauge.

fl. An .eLectriCalyStem torrstatistically :sorting a plurality Iof :similar aobiects differing yin sa pre-- determined physical :dimension Within givenlim itslicomprising sL agaugeincluding anelement mov--` able tin lresponse ato the r:physical :dimension of ian object to be igauged; tmeans .for feeding objects f in succession `to :said igauge :and ejecting vthem therefrom; a ztuna'ble `vibration oscillator for sde veloping a .periodic .,signal :including fan relemet responsive to fmoyement'zof :said gauging element 'for `varying `:the frequency fof the `developed .sigg

nal; :a :fixed-tuned @filter .circuit energized by@ aid developedsigna-l and Veffective to pass;said:signal within a ,limited .-freguency trange; :and actuating means fcontrolled iby .the vasignal :passed iby ,said filter mircuit A.mr 4determining lthe course fof fa objectejectedrnmsaidfgauge. fnAn electrical tsystem .for statistically.sciit- .in'g za zplurality of fsimil'ar lobjects 'differing in ia predetermined physical dimension within given 'limits compri-sing: a gauge including :an .element movableiinsresponse to 'the physical dimension of :anzobject to be `igauged; means for feeding -dbfjects in .succession Ito fsa'id .figauge and rfeje'ecztin'g :them ltherefro'm; means for developing a AI'Jeri'o'dii: signal inclu'dingan Aelement responsive ito move- Amerii'f'cf said gauging!elementlorlvaryingthelfre- :quency of ithe .developed --signalg -a A'-rilurality Lo'f fixed-staggentui're'd vibration-filters' having -evenflapping .characteristics energized by said develroped signal, each eiective to `'pass lsaid vsignal yWithin-a "limited Sfrequency'range; and actuating Ameans-controlled 'Y-by #the signals passed by 'said -i-"ilte'rs "for determining the `course of an nobject "e'jecled flom'saidgaug.

6. An electrical system for statistically sorting a plurality of similar objects differing in a predetermined physical dimension within given limits comprising: a gauge including an element movable in response to the physical dimension of an object to be gauged; means for feeding objects in succession to said gauge and ejecting them therefrom; means for developing a periodic signal including an element responsive to movement ofA said gauging element for varying the frequency of the developed signal; a plurality of fixed-tuned filter circuits energized by said developed signal, each eiective to pass said signal within a limited frequency range; and a plurality of electro-mechanical actuating devices individually controlled by the signals passed by saidglter circuits for determining the course of an object ejected from said gauge.

-7. An electrical system for statistically sorting a plurality of similar objects differing in a `predetermined physical dimension within given llimits comprising: a gauge including an element movable in response to the physical dimension of an object to be gauged; means for feeding objects in succession to saidgauge and ejecting them therefrom; means for` developing a periodic signal including an element responsive to movement of said gauging element for varying the frequency of the developed signal; a plurality of xed-tuned filter circuits energized by said developed signal, each effective to pass said signal within a limited frequency range; a plurality of trigger relays individually controlled by the signals passed by said lter circuits; and a plurality of actuating means individually controlled by said relays for determining the course of an object ejected from said gauge.

8. An electrical system for statistically sorting a plurality of similar objects differing in a predetermined physical dimension Within given limits comprising; a gauge including an element movable in response to the physical dimension of an object to be gauged; means for feeding objects in succession to said gauge and ejecting them therefrom; means for developing a periodic signal including an element responsive to movement of said gauging element for varying the frequency of the developed signal; a plurality of fixed-tuned lter circuits energized by said developed signal, each effective to pass said signal Within a limitedfrequency range; a plurality of trigger relays individually controlled by the signals passed byY said filter circuits; a plurality of actuating means individually controlled by said vrelays for determining the course of an object ejected from said gauge; and means acting in synchronism with said feeding means for deenergizing all of said trigger relays a predetermined interval after each object has been ejected from said gauge. Y Y

9. An electrical system for statistically sorting a plurality of similar objects differing in a predetermined physical dimension. within given limits comprising: a gauge including an element .movable in response to the physical dimension of an object to be gauged; means .for feeding objects in succession to said gauge and ejecting them therefrom; means for developing a periodic signal including an element responsive to movement of said gauging element for varying the frequency of the developed signal; a plurality of fixed-tuned filter circuits energized by said developed signal, each effective to pass said signal Within a limited frequency range; a plurality of trigger relays individually controlled by the signals passed by said lter circuits; a plurality of actuating means individually controlled by said relays for determining the course of an object ejected from said gauge; and means responsive to the operation of any trigger relay for preventing subsequent operation of any other relay.

10. An electrical system for statistically sorting a plurality of similar objects differing in a predetermined physical dimension within given limits comprising; a gauge including an element movable in response to the physical dimension of an object to be gauged; means for feedingV objects in succession to said gauge and ejecting them therefrom; means for developing a periodic signal including an element responsive to movement of said gauging element for varying the frequency of the developed signal; a plurality of fixed-tuned filter circuits energized by said developed signal, each effective to pass said signal within a limited frequency range; a plurality of vapor-electric discharge relays each having anode and cathode electrodes and individually controlled by said lter circuits; a plurality of actuating devices individually connected in the anode-cathode circuits of said relays for determining the course of an object ejected from said gauge; and a resistor common to the anode-cathode and gridcathode circuits of said relays effective upon the operation of any relay to prevent subsequent operation of any other relay.

11. An electrical system for statistically sorting a plurality of similar Vobjects differing in a predetermined physical dimension within given limits comprising: a gauge including jaws relatively movable in response to the physical dimension of an object to be gauged; means for feeding objects in succession tov said gauge and ejecting them therefrom with a dwell in said jaws; means for developing a periodic signal including an element responsive to movement of said gauging element for varying the frequency of the developed signal; a vplurality of fixed-tuned filter circuits; means acting in synchronism with said feeding means for energizing said lter circuits with said developed signal while each object dwells within said jaws; and actuating means controlled by the signals passed by said lter circuits for determining the course of an object ejected from said gauge.

FRANK RIEBER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS y Number Name Date 2,148,578 Pullis Feb.`28, 1939 2,265,011 Siegel Dec. 2, 1941 2,312,357 Odquist Mar. 2, 1943 2,357,512 Gaiser Sept. 5, 1944 2,381,990 Stevens Aug. 14, 1945 2,382,885 Landay Aug. 14, 1945 2,421,933 Goldstine June 10, 1947 OTHER REFERENCES Publication by C. W. Loeber, Electronics May 1930, pages 70, 7l. (Copy found in Scientific Library.) 

